The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) Read Free

Louisa jump. Two men in their suits of armour appear from the tents at the far end of the field and I become nervous. Jane reaches over from beside me and grasps my hand. She tried to calm me this morning as I was dressing. She has been to a few jousts when she attended the French court. The Knights mount their horses, getting into position and we all wait in silence. I start to ease and laugh silently at myself for being silly and over the top with my nervousness, until it begins and the two horses charge. The knights hold up their lance towards each other and take aim to knock the other from their horse. The horses gather speed and I hold my free hands in front of my eyes, peeking through my fingers as they become closer. The rider on the left hits the one on the right and he lands to the floor with a loud grunt. There’s a loud gasp, followed by silence until the horseman gets back to his feet, and then everyone cheers both men’s efforts. We sit, waiting for them to mount and do it again.
    “Why would you want to do this?” I quietly ask my Ladies and they giggle in return.
    “You are such a baby,” laughs Jane.
    “Sorry if I fail to see the fun behind this,” I frown, but my Ladies continue to think of me funny and I manage a small smile.
    A messenger then approaches me, and reveals a red rose from behind his back, “For you Princess.”
    I take the rose, smiling up at the messenger, “Thank you, who sent this?”
    The messenger then indicates over to a handsome man further down the crowd, “It was Lord Rowlston, Your Highness.”
    “Tell him thank you,” the girl’s gossip as the messenger walks away and I place the rose down beside me. However thankful I may be, I cannot show that I am interested. Even without looking I know that my parents are gazing down at me. When the next horseman falls from the horse and harshly onto the floor, I forget about my parents and cover my eyes.
    “Lord Rowlston is a very wealthy man,” Jane whispers and I fight the urge to not roll my eyes.
    “It does not matter how wealthy he is,” Beatrice adds. “The King wants Grace to marry a King or Prince.”
    “Ladies,” I try to stop them, but they carry on.
    “He is very handsome,” Jane giggles.
    “But if it is money the King wants, he can get that and more from Lord Rowlston,” Louisa inputs and I quickly stand, bored of the conversation.
    “Princess?” Jane asks.
    “I am going for a walk,” I announce, knowing that my Ladies will have to come with me. I do not want to sit around, feeling the gaze from my eager father and have the girls talk about my marriage like I am a deal on the common market. I may be over reacting but I am perhaps using this as an excuse to leave the joust. I have to walk past the King and Queen on the way and I know that my father will want me to stay.
    “Grace, where are you going?” He asks from him large chair.
    “The gardens,” I answer respectfully.
    “Are you not enjoying the jousting?” He loudly asks, with an annoying smirk and I see everyone curiously looking up to us.
    “Honestly Father, I do not think this sport is for me,” I answer and his smirk widens to a full blown grin.
    “Let her take a walk,” My mother adds. “The poor child does not look well.”
    My mother’s laughter irritates me as I walk away. Together, my Ladies and I make it to the gardens and I take a grateful sigh, thankful to be away from the jousting. I look behind at my Ladies and see the same relief on their faces.
    “Well, that was pretty terrifying,” Catherine giggles.
    “Equally as terrifying as listening to you all discussing a marriage with Lord Rowlston,” I poke at them.
    “I did not mean anything by it,” Jane frowns. “I’m sorry if I offended you Grace, it wasn’t my intention.”
    All the girls begin their apologies and I start to feel bad, “No, you do not need to apologise. I did not say it for that reason, I just could not listen to it anymore.”
    “Then let us speak